Clinic Descriptions

Which class should I take?

If you are unsure of which class to take, send me an e-mail and let me know.

Level 1 – Getting Started

In order to have a partnership with a horse you need to understand their language. Parelli Natural Horsemanship takes you step by step through learning how to communicate with your horse. Horses have survived for centuries using Opposition Reflex, which is doing the opposite of what Predators want you to do. This language can be broken down into 7 games that horses play and broken down further into 3 principle games. As Pat has said “If you master the first three games you can teach your horse anything you want to. What an amazing focus for a clinic! When you realize that Opposition Reflex is the reason you get frustrated, disillusioned, and get mediocre results with your horses, you’ll move into a whole new level of understanding about what you need to learn to make incomparable progress … and it doesn’t matter what riding experience level you’re at now.

This clinic introduces you to the basic concepts and skills of the Parelli program. The focus of this clinic will be starting and developing a strong lasting partnership with your horse on the ground therefore no prerequisite riding skills are required

Why start on the ground?

When you understand the horse’s language you will want to start building your communication on the ground first, so when you ride, it will be an easy transition. This also keeps you safe, allowing you to read your horse for any tightness before riding.

What will be covered:

We will use simulations to help you clearly understand the concepts at this level

Communication Basic Equine Psychology: Learn why horses do what they do and why force, fear and intimidation do not work

Personal Space

Learning Level 1 Parelli Patterns

The Seven Games: Learn how to communicate with your horse in their own language

Opposition reflex: Learn to tell if fear or domination is the root of your horse’s resistance and what to do about it

Saddling as a friendly game

Format: This is a two-day course with two three-hour teaching sessions each day. This clinic will emphasize theory and will be balanced with practical skills and activities.

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites for this course. Previewing the Success Series (Horsenalities, 7 Games, and Safe Ride) and Parelli Level 1 will greatly accelerate your learning.

Level 2 Harmony

Once safety and basic skills are learned now we can build on these, and establish a deeper communication with our horse. Level 2 is about confidence. Most of all, you will begin to have even more fun with your horse now that you are safe and confident!

What we will cover:

We will use simulations to help you clearly understand the concepts at this level

Add purpose to the 7 games: Learn to increase your online skills and add interest to the 7 games with an obstacle, Level 2 Parelli Patterns

Use of phases: from teaching to reinforcing

Make vs. want: How can you help your horse to get exuberance?

Transition to the 22 foot line

Basic Liberty: Learn how to transition from online to liberty so your horse does not even know

Introduction to Impulsion: Learn how straight lines and circles effect how horses think and how to begin a program to balance their whoa and go

Introduction to Fluidity Techniques and Parelli Patterns

Proper Saddle Fitting Strategies

Format: This is a two day course with two three-hour teaching sessions each day. Each participant will only move on to riding if both the horse and rider are ready.

Prerequisite: . All participants should be comfortable walking, trotting and cantering their horses in an enclosed area prior to this clinic. You are not required to have attended a Level 1 clinic but a thorough understanding of the basic concepts and skills as presented in the home study pack is expected. Study/Review of the Success Series (Horsenalities, 7 Games, Safe Ride, Natural Rider, Natural Attraction, Beyond the Round Pen, Calm Ride, and Ride Out) and Level 1/2 Parelli Patterns is recommended before attending the clinic and will accelerate your learning experience!

Level 2 Advanced Harmony

Now we add more purpose and more challenges. Building towards Harmony. Level 2 is about confidence. Most of all, you will begin to have even more fun with your horse now that you are safe and confident!

What we will cover:

We will use simulations to help you clearly understand the concepts at this level

Transitions online: Learn how transitions build respect and attention

Changes of direction online: Learn how body language and position influences your horse

Sideways without a fence and in the saddle

7 games at liberty: Learn to set yourself up for this

Liberty: Learn when it’s time to advance to liberty and when to go back online

Leads: Learn how body position in both the horse and rider affects leads

Format: This is a two day course with two three-hour teaching sessions each day. Approximately half the time will be spent with ground skills and half on riding skills. Each participant will only move on to riding if both the horse and rider are ready.

Prerequisite: All participants should be comfortable walking, trotting and cantering their horses in an enclosed area prior to this clinic. You are not required to have attended a Level 1 clinic but a thorough understanding of the basic concepts and skills as presented in the home study pack is expected. Study/Review of the Success Series (Horsenalities, 7 Games, Safe Ride, Natural Rider, Natural Attraction, Beyond the round Pen, Calm Ride, and Ride Out) and Parelli Patterns is recommended before attending the clinic will only accelerate your learning experience!

Level 2/3 Freestyle and Trail Riding

Trail riding can be the most relaxing and enjoyable time spent with your horse…it can also be frustrating and frightening if you or your horse are not confident on the trail. Jigging, spooking and bolting are many of the problems a lot of students face when taking their horse into unfamiliar territory. You will learn how to Ride Out with Savvy and safety, you will learn ways to give you and your horse more confidence. You’ll start off online and mounted in an arena or playground. Then, with your new skills you’ll go on a trail ride and practice your new skills.

Don’t miss this opportunity to go on a trail ride with a Parelli Instructor!

Prerequisite: This class is for Level 2+ students. You need to have either completed the Level 1 introductory course or passed your Level 1 audition to participate. Students should be comfortable walking, trotting and cantering.

Level 3 & 4 Refinement Leading to Performance

Lets check on that foundation and start to refine and advance your communication. Building towards Refinement and Elegance is where the Parelli foundation really starts to to look like a picture of true partnership and a grand relationship. Lets get together and find the pieces of the Parelli program that you need to take your horsemanship to higher levels. Lets get you ready for a official Audition if you prefer that too!

What we will cover:

Have you refined your phases and really turned it into a game for you and your horse?

We will use simulations to explore energy and set you up to walk a mile in your horse’s shoes

5 zones and layers within the zones

Simple and flying changes of direction online: Learn how body language and position influences your horse

Sideways and beyond the sideways category of play

7 games at liberty: Learn to engage your relationship at liberty with quality

Liberty: Learn when it’s time to advance to liberty and when to go back online

Leads: Learn how body position in both the horse and rider affects leads

Simple Lead Changes and Flying changes for level 4

Parelli Patterns in 4 Savvys

9 step back up, Backing Circles in 1/8th turns

Advancing Fluidity Techniques

Format: This is a two to 4 day course with two three-hour teaching sessions each day. Approximately half the time will be spent with ground skills and half on riding skills. Each participant will only move on to riding if both the horse and rider are ready.

Prerequisite: All participants should be comfortable walking, trotting and cantering their horses in an enclosed area prior to this clinic. You are required to have attended a Level 2 or 3 clinic and have a thorough understanding of the basic concepts and skills as presented in the home study pack is expected. Study/Review of the Success Series (Horsenalities, 7 Games, Safe Ride, Natural Rider, Natural Attraction, Beyond the round Pen, Calm Ride, and Ride Out) and Parelli Patterns is recommended before attending the clinic will only accelerate your learning experience!

Mounted Shooting Clinic Beginners to Advanced

Anybody can shoot a gun from a horse……Once! Cowboy Mounted Shooting is one of the Equine Industry’s fastest growing sports! I like to joke that, “It is the most fun you can have with your Clothes on.” Many horse people want to understand the process of gaining their horse’s confidence for shooting a gun safely from the saddle. In Parelli Program we call this the Extreme Friendly Game. Learn the steps and building blocks for gaining the trust and acceptance that leads to gunfire from the saddle without compromising safety or your partnership with your horse. How do you get a horse ready for the Sport of Cowboy Mounted Shooting? What do you need? Gear, Dress code, Guns, Holsters, starting the training process. How do you get started? How is the sport set up to host cowboy and cowgirl competitors of all ages, experience levels, all types of horses and speeds? What do the patterns look like and tell me all about the Guns and ammo! Lets get started!

Mounted shooting is way more than Shooting! Using a Parelli Foundation to improve your Maneuverability and confidence to practice elements of Mounted Shooting Patterns. Being the best in Mounted shooting requires a horse and rider who can ride fast, shoot, navigate courses of fire and repeat. Slow and right beats fast and wrong! ….. Fast and right beats everything! Learn about the skills and horsemanship patterns that leads to harmony =, fun and success in the sport of Cowboy Mounted shooting.

Function, Freestyle, Finesse, Speed and Gunfire! Extreme Equestrian sports demand a strong, solid, complete Horsemanship foundation based on Trust, Partnership, Communication, Understanding and consistency. Then learn how to layer the foundation strong enough to be able to introduce extreme performance sports. How can you grow and develop your partnership into extreme sports without sacrificing the relationship? Can you go extreme without introducing brace in the body or mind?

What we will cover:

Have you refined your cues and really turned it into a game for you and your horse?

We will use simulations to explore intention and set you up to walk a mile in your horse’s shoes

Ground set-ups to teach horses all about gun fire.

Gun Safety

Equipment

Performance Patterns

Setups to Safely shoot from the back of a horse.

Course Management

Riding your horse with 1 hand.

Format: This is a two day course with two three-hour teaching sessions each day. Each participant will only shoot near or on their horse if both the horse and rider are ready.

Prerequisite: All participants should be comfortable walking, trotting and cantering their horses in an enclosed area prior to this clinic. You must be able to control your horse in an controlled catastrophe situation. A working knowledge of the Parelli Program is encouraged but not required.